Predatory scientific journals publish fake Star Wars study

Neuroskeptic, a neuroscientist and blogger for Discover, submitted what he describes as a "travesty" to nine publishers known to send spam to academics including himself. Three journals actually published the paper: the International Journal of Molecular Biology: Open Access, Austin Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and American Research Journal of Biosciences.

Neuroskeptic explained that the sting should serve as a reminder that many of these journals falsely advertise their primary service: peer-review.

The paper itself, authored by "Lucas McGeorge" and "Annette Kin," is an amalgamation of the Wikipedia page about mitochondria and Star Wars lore surrounding midichlorians: microscopic entities created by George Lucas to "scientifically" explain the Force.

The paper is rife with fake terms like "Kyloren syndrome," "Lightsaber's hereditary optic neuropathy," and memorable observations including: "Given the role of midichlorians as the cell's force power station, if high-energy dark side electrons leak out, they can form harmful reactive oxygen species."